With fire and ambulance services continuing to struggle across the Commonwealth, a 39-member commission created by lawmakers to study the situation issued dozens of recommendations last week.

Statistics show the number of volunteer firefighters has shrunk from about 300,000 in the 1980s to 38,000 today, according to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute. Ambulance services are facing similar challenges for both volunteers and paid staff, leaving communities potentially vulnerable in emergency situations.

To reverse this trend, the commission suggests several strategies to boost recruitment and retention, including providing Length of Service Award Payments (LOSAP) and other benefit programs, funding basic fire and EMS training at the state level, and offering incentives to employers to permit trainees to attend fire and EMS training.

To further enhance training accessibility, the commission recommends including public safety as a trade/career preparatory program at career and technical education centers across the state and restoring funding for public safety training courses at community colleges.

Action on recommendations in the report would build on two important initiatives enacted earlier this year to boost funding for the state’s ambulance services: increasing Medicaid reimbursements for Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support services and requiring both private insurers and Medicaid to reimburse for treatment provided regardless of whether transport takes place.

REAL ID Update

Beginning in March of next year, REAL IDs will be available – but not mandatory – for Pennsylvania residents who want them.

Pennsylvanians will only need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, photo ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation beginning October 1, 2020.

This Thursday, Dec. 13, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport will host a REAL ID Mobile Verification Unit event from 5-8 p.m., on the main level of the Terminal Building.
You will be able to pre-verify for REAL ID without visiting a PennDOT Driver License Center.

The price of a resident fishing license this year is $22.90. The most popular add-ons, a trout-salmon stamp and a Lake Erie permit, cost $9.90 each, or $15.90 for a combination permit.

Customers will also have the option of purchasing several new voluntary permits, with funds generated by their purchase being reinvested into their respective programs. The voluntary permits include: bass ($11.90); musky ($11.90); habitat/waterways conservation permit ($11.90); and wild trout and enhanced waters permit ($26.90).

Licenses are valid for up to 13 months, from December 2018 through Dec. 31, 2019.

For more information about fishing in PA, and how to give the gift of fishing by purchasing a gift voucher, visit www.fishandboat.com.

Congratulations….

….to the Lackawanna Trail Computer Club of Lackawanna and Wyoming counties on finishing in the top 3 at the finals of the Cyber Robotics Coding Competition hosted Wednesday by Harrisburg University.

Computer coding is a fast-growing component within the STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Math) fields and Pennsylvania now ranks second in the country for investments in K-12 STEM and computer education.

The competition was held during Computer Science Education Week, which is being celebrated internationally from Dec. 3-9.

Attention Veterans

This Monday, Dec. 10 - The Mobile Vet Center will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Brady and Cavany Ace Hardware Store parking lot, 809 Hunter Highway, Eaton Township.

Some of the services available for veterans and their dependents include individual, group, family and bereavement counseling; medical referrals; assistance in applying for Veterans Affairs benefits; employment counseling; guidance and referrals; and alcohol and drug assessments.

Tuesday, Dec. 18 - Veterans outreach hours will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dallas district office, 105 Lieutenant Michael Cleary Drive.

A claims consultant from the Wilkes-Barre VFW will be on hand to address questions and concerns of local veterans and their families.

Treatment Options for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

A new online tool is available for anyone in search of treatment and support options for loved ones dealing with drug and alcohol dependency.